Member Article

Investing in employees to secure future success

A BLUE chip yellow goods manufacturer is taking the lead when it comes to future-proofing its workforce.

Komatsu UK, based at Birtley, is fully focused on the skills agenda and upskilling its workforce, ensuring it has the capabilities to meet and surpass future manufacturing and engineering needs.

The firm’s focus on continuous development and improvement, has seen it invest heavily in a successful apprenticeship programme, continue to invest in a leadership development scheme, create a team of engineers to promote STEM subjects and embark on a project to improve team-leading skills via an in-house Institute of Leadership Management (ILM) qualification.

Seven years ago, an ILM programme was introduced for supervisory staff, and a third of the 26 staff members completing the qualification have since progressed to more senior positions at the Birtley plant. Komatsu experienced real benefit from the qualification with skills learned on the course being transferred directly into the business, improving efficiency and communication.

Such was the impact on the business and individuals, the firm worked closely with skills provider ALCS to develop a new ILM course, this time tailored specifically for team leaders. Nine employees recently completed the new bespoke course and have already set about putting their new training to use in the factory.

Tracey Wilson, senior HR manager at Komatsu, said: “ILM helps us improve standards of leadership and management and boost confidence. The course is focused on the key areas we need to concentrate on to achieve the greatest return on investment.

“Our industry must make sure we retain the skills required to make sure North East manufacturing continues to grow and set the pace in export performance.

“With research suggesting that around 8,500 skilled people across the North East retiring from the engineering sector in the last three years, there is an onus on companies to take a more active role in the development of their future workforces”.

The courses cover a range of units, including skills in six core areas – working with people, managing personal performance and skills, providing direction, facilitating innovation and change, achieving results, and using resources. The qualification is tailored to suit the needs of the individual and employer.

The course was delivered by Aidan Lynn, director of training provider ALCS. He said: “When the going got tough and recession kicked in, many organisations cut back development programmes, as they see it as an unnecessary cost. Komatsu stuck to its guns and continued to invest in developing its people.

“From my own perspective, the continued focus on employee development and skills improvement makes Komatsu stand out as an exemplar in our region.”

Tracey added that the company puts staff at the centre of everything, focusing on empowering employees to develop technical skills, aid personal development and encourage leadership abilities. She added: “There is a need for all businesses to keep one eye firmly focused on the future and at Komatsu, we believe that by investing in staff development we are investing in our own future, and therefore it is money wisely spent.

“Employees are our most valuable asset and development and educational programs for employees are vital. Whether it’s an apprentice putting classroom theory into practice or a member of our senior team mentoring junior colleagues, we place huge emphasis on training and skills.”

Paul Butler, Chief Executive of the North East Automotive Alliance, praised Komatsu’s approach. He said: “The North East has a thriving automotive manufacturing industry, but we must do all we can to ensure the sector remains fit for the future. This involves making sure we have a workforce fully equipped with the skills to take advantage of all opportunities that come our way.

“By continuously investing in employees, Komatsu is preparing for a successful future in our region, which is great news for the company, its employees and the North East automotive manufacturing industry as a whole.”

For more information on Komatsu UK, visit www.komatsu.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jess Ramsey .